Sharks go back to Niemi in net for Game 7 vs. Kings

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Antti Niemi will be back in goal for the San Jose Sharks in Game 7 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.

Coach Todd McLellan said after the pregame skate Wednesday that Niemi will start as the Sharks try to avoid becoming the fourth NHL team to lose a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games.

Niemi started the first five games of the series before rookie Alex Stalock replaced him to start a 4-1 loss in Game 6 to the Kings.

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Both teams will also be without an injured defenseman with Marc-Edouard Vlasic missing his second straight game for San Jose and Willie Mitchell missing his first for Los Angeles. Matt Irwin will play for the Sharks and Matt Greene will dress for the Kings.